Ever Mine Herks?

[goldgrubber]

How many Tn'ers have ever gone to Herkimer County New York to mine pure quartz crystals? There are like three or four fee mines in the area, where you can bring your own tools or rent them and pay a small fee to beat the hell out of rocks all day. For those who don't feel like working that hard, as you have to break up dolomitic limestone, some crystals can be found laying on the ground. Heres a sample of what they look like. No faceting done here! They come naturally like this from vugs and pockets, for those of you who have never seen a Herkimer Diamond before.

 

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[EDDE]

very cool 8)

 

[ashleen]

GG,

We had a great time there a few years ago!!!!!! And made quite a haul
We stayed at the KOA campground directly across the street from the mine....right on the Little Canada River.... In the first mine we found one perfect little sweetie But when we moved on to the second mine............... we hit a NICE little pocket spent 2 days with my hands in that pasty-gluey sht cleaning 'em by the camp fire
found doubles, enhydros, you name it.....the whole range of it. I'd LOVE to post pics, but I can't photograph little stuff to save my life I take it you've been there....how did you do?

 

[Eu_citzen]

It's hard to come by such clean quartz. At least here.
Must be a great place!

 

[goldgrubber]

I only live about 3 1/2 hours away. The second mine you mentioned is the Ace of Diamond mine, my favorite. I've been there about 15 times, and mined hundreds of crystals. Four inch skeletals down to crystals so tiny, they look like a perfect faceted grain of sand. Also have many enhydros and a few black crystals.

 

[lamplighter36]

very cool! thanks for lettin' us see. do they get any bigger?

 

[fossis]

Very nice pic's, I have one in the matrix from that

area that I traded fossil ferns for.

We also find them in Ar, & OK, in a few places.

HH, Fossis.................

 

[ashleen]

crystals so tiny, they look like a perfect faceted grain of sand.

We got quite a few of those tiny ones....I think they're my favorites....so clear and perfect. I've been playing around with trying to set some of them, but am kinda frustrated. I have caged a few, and made a few bailed pendants. Would like to sell some on eBay.....but I am photographically challenged :P

Pretty cool museum upstairs in that GIANT jewelry store!

 

[goldgrubber]

Some of the crystals can be as big as a football, but more than likely, they will be fractured and hazy inside. Mostly the ones that are perfect are around an inch and smaller.

 

[lamplighter36]

cool thanks

 

[littleneckhalfshell]

we have been there a number of times over the years. My best find was about the size of a golf ball.
The key I have found is to have a long skinny arm. find one of the pockets someone has broken into but not had a long enough arm to get into the back of. Work the crystals out of that gooey grey clay that lines the inside of the pockets and you can come away with a rich haul. The one hazard though to this method is that you cut up your fingers. The cold water in the pocket along with the sharp edges of some of the crystals can really slice and dice your digits. The cold water makes your fingers somewhat numb to the cuts and your first hint that you are injured is the red streaks coming through the grey mud that covers your fingers when you are squeezing the clay to feel the crystals in the glob of mud you pulled out of the hole. Some of the crystals my be rust stained, and if you can find someone with Oxalic acid (dangerous to work with, poisonous through skin absorption I believe) get them to soak the crystal in it for a while and after they come out, the iron staining is gone. But even if you don't get the crystals stain free, they are a lot of fun, especially if you get a little cloth bag and spill them out on a piece of black velvet in front of someone who does not know what they are.
You feel just like a diamond merchant.

 

[goldgrubber]

I have done the black velvet trick many times, get the oohs and aahs everytime. I think you can buy oxalic acid at any of the mines. Thanks.